Why are the words of men and boys’ advocacy whispered, as if some kind of dirty secret? Why does speaking kindly, or with compassion about men and boys, so often feel like walking on egg shells? Why does the conversation around these issues come with a series of clumsy apologies and spluttering disclaimers; like some kind of shame-laden small print, to round off the edges and water down the conversation? And to whom are we making these concessions? No. Stop it. Sharing the harsh and too often ignored reality of men and boys, does not need to be apologised for, or approved by others. So stand up, dust yourself down, and stop kowtowing to your gender equality overlords. It’s a sad reality how many feel their hands are tied, who otherwise might be able to reach out and help. So we stand on the sidelines instead. Men and boys fall behind, drop out, and disappear in darkness; the world watches on, wanting to help, but also, not wanting to be *seen* helping. Meanwhile, those who lift their head about the parapet to reach out a hand, are yelled at and shouted down; harassed, threatened, and pilloried, somehow compared to Neo N*zis, “the Alt-Right”, and White Supremacists. And it works. The slandering of such an area of advocacy has been tremendously successful, shocking, and of course, highly exaggerated. And so, nothing changes. The things urgently needing discussion, are not discussed. The information that desperately needs sharing, is not being shared. And the lives that can be saved, are not. Too many are afraid to disagree, push back, or openly support men and boys; understandably scared to follow, share, speak out, or stand up. So why the asymmetry? For many of us bang the drum loudly for women, marching together, and holding aloft our demands for change. But when asked to do the same for men and boys, the world turns stoney faced, or looks at its feet sheepishly. So where did the strong voice of advocacy go? Why the shame and unease, the endless pleading, penance paying and apologia? And when will it stop? What do you think? - Images by Michael Tucker and JSB Co

2024-09-04